Bartolo Colon

Born on May 24, 1973, in Altamira, Dominican Republic, Bartolo Colon spent his early years working long days harvesting coffee beans and fruit with his father, Miguel. This physical labor from age nine to fourteen contributed to his early strength. He was signed by the Cleveland Indians as an amateur free agent in 1993, beginning his professional career in their minor league system. In 1995, playing for Kinston of the Single-A Carolina League, he achieved remarkable success, finishing second in wins with 13 and ERA with 1.96, while leading the league with 152 strikeouts. His outstanding performance earned him the Carolina League’s Pitcher of the Year award, despite an elbow injury that sidelined him in August. He was also recognized as the Indians’ 1995 Minor League Player of the Year, receiving the “Lou Boudreau Award.”

Colon made his Major League Baseball debut with the Cleveland Indians on April 4, 1997. Over his extensive career, he played for 11 different MLB teams, including significant stints with the Cleveland Indians (1997–2002), Anaheim Angels (2004–2007), Oakland Athletics (2012–2013), and New York Mets (2014–2016). A career highlight came in 2005 when he won the American League Cy Young Award with the Los Angeles Angels, leading the league in wins. He achieved several notable milestones, including pitching a one-hitter against the New York Yankees in 2000 and recording his 200th career win in 2014. In 2016, at 42 years old, he made history by hitting his first major league home run, becoming the oldest player to do so. His career was marked by consistent performance as a control pitcher, known for his ability to spot pitches accurately, which minimized walks despite allowing more hits.

His career spanned more than two decades, making him one of the last active players to have played in the 1990s. Colon retired from professional baseball on June 2, 2023, after a career that saw him become the record holder for most career wins by a Latin American-born pitcher. Beyond MLB, he also played in the Dominican Professional Baseball League and the Mexican League, demonstrating his enduring passion for the sport. Known affectionately as “Big Sexy,” a nickname trademarked by him for apparel, Bartolo Colon has left a significant legacy in baseball, celebrated for his longevity, unique style, and approachable demeanor.